These are the beauty trends we never want to see again

These days trends are born in a heartbeat on social media rather than coming through more science-backed or expert-led avenues. Curiosity and the theatre of Instagram and Tik Tok often means that we road test them but few involve a repeat application – especially these trends that had their moment in the spotlight in 2021. Nonetheless, as much tried and tested as they are, none of these hold up to the proper standards, benefits or even safety we thrive to achieve, which is why we’re kissing them goodbye before entering chapter one of season 2022.

TikTok beauty trends tend to leave the Vogue Scandinavia beauty desk quivering with fear – and this ‘hack’ is no different. In a bid to outsmart rigorously tested, safe products, Tiktok influencers are engaging in an arduous affair of first applying eyelash primer, then using the warm air from their hairdryers to push the lashes up so they begin to curl. A coat of mascara is then applied on top before drying them again. Given the skin around the eyes is less than 0.9mm thick, applying a jet of air and heat to the area can cause it to become dry and irritated. Not to mention corneal abrasions and singed lashes that snap off or shed prematurely.

Social media make-up is not the same as everyday make-up. Sculpting with make-up should involve a light hand and enhance your natural features not suffocate your skin with an alarming amount of powder. As a refresher, ‘baking’ involves applying foundation, concealer and then using a sponge or Beautyblender to press a thick layer of loose translucent powder on to the tops of the cheekbones, chin, bridge of the nose and above the eyebrows. There it sits for 5 to 10 minutes so your body heat can set or ‘bake’ your foundation underneath for an airbrushed finish. Given the compass of the Zeitgeist has swung toward skincare and a healthy glow, this extreme version of matte make-up feels outdated, let alone intensely drying for the delicate skin under the eyes and a surefire route to blocked pores and spots.

Related: Is powder the future of skincare?— this version of it might be it

Was there ever a less ‘beauty’ name for a trend than ‘slugging’? Coined by K-Beauty and popularised on YouTube, slugging is the act of taking petrolatum or Vaseline and coating your face in it. The idea is that applying this occlusive layer as the final step in your skincare routine will prevent trans epidermal water loss and lock moisture in your skin. On this point fans who swear by its glow-galvanising benefits aren’t wrong. Petroleum can indeed soften the skin and, while applying it tactically to dry patches can be soothing, blanket coverage poses a high risk of breakouts. Applying a moisturiser rich in ceramides is a more effective and (whisper it) less greasy approach.

Related: Yes, oily skin needs moisturiser, too

Do we even have to explain this one? While we’ll always be down for some fun time with our makeup, lube belongs to another very different world that should never collide with our prepping before going out. While the eternally dewy finish the trend promises to bring — paired with a supposed seamless glide and perfect blend — is definitely tempting and very much enticing, there is one simple principle that isn’t being followed. Lube isn’t meant to be used on your face. While its proper use might be safe for our health and some even are designed with some level of consumption in mind (if you know what we mean), their formula is not meant to coat the skin and be exposed to what a full face of makeup entails. Some of their ingredients might cause allergic reactions and even worse, clog our pores leading to breakouts and other complications.

We held a minute of silence at the beauty desk when this trend came to be. One of our main pillars, holy grail, golden rule is protecting the skin — especially our face — from the sun and its UV rays. This trend essentially throws that through the window and entices people to purposefully leave exposed areas to the sun with the purpose of tanning or bronzing this area and obtaining a natural, permanent contour. Even when applying a “lighter sunscreen” to some areas of the face you still are leaving areas of the skin more vulnerable to UV damage, increasing the risk of sunburn, skin cancer, sun spots, fine line, wrinkles and more.

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